BMW i7 Review 2026: Prices, specs and verdict

What is the BMW i7?

The i7 is the fully electric version of what is arguably one of BMW’s most important and prestigious models: the 7 Series. And, as a large luxury car, it’s better than ever as an EV.

The 7 Series is BMW’s saloon car range-topper, previewing groundbreaking technology and comfort features that have traditionally made their way into smaller, cheaper BMW models over time.

It’s been in close competition for decades with its luxury German arch-rivals; the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Audi A8. But for the latest generation that competition has diversified, with Mercedes-Benz launching an all-electric alternative in the form of the EQS.

The i7 is BMW’s response to the EQS. But instead of a completely new exterior design for the electric version, the i7 is visually almost identical to the striking, petrol-powered 7 Series.

Is the i7 the best luxury car that BMW has ever built? Our review aims to find out.

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Verdict: is the BMW i7 a good car?

Those who aren’t able to look past the i7’s divisive exterior design are missing out on one of BMW’s best models. Combining outstanding comfort and refinement with impressive dynamic ability and a good range, the i7 is so good that we prefer it to the petrol 7 Series.

Factor in the class-leading cabin design and quality, vast array of technology, rear seat wow-factor and plentiful space, and it’s clear BMW has beaten its key German rivals to luxury car supremacy.

Pricing, specs & rivals

At the time of writing prices for the BMW i7 start at £104,230 for the entry-level eDrive50 variant. That’s considerably more expensive than the cheapest Mercedes-Benz EQS, but that is much less powerful.

The standard i7 trim (formerly called Excellence) does come with loads of standard equipment, too, including 19in alloys, adaptive LED headlights, extensive ambient lighting, soft close doors, an illuminated front grille, heated front and rear seats with electric adjustment, a panoramic sunroof and a reversing camera.

Upgrading to the i7 M Sport ups the price to £109,320, while focusing mainly on styling upgrades including black exterior styling details, 20in alloy wheels, M Sport brakes and an M branded steering wheel.

M Sport gives you the option of upgrading to the i7 xDrive60, which brings significantly more power.

The i7 M Sport Pro is priced from £112,045, adding niceties such as electrically opening and closing doors, rear window blinds, upgraded headlights, ambient lighting effects for the panoramic roof and 21in alloy wheels.

Topping the ‘standard’ i7 lineup is the Ultimate Edition, which brings kit such as rear-wheel steering, the Executive Lounge rear seating, a Bowers and Wilkins sound system upgrade and the rear Theatre Screen.

For those that are after the ultimate in both luxury and performance, then the M-tuned i7 M70 xDrive is the one to go for. It’s priced from £163,315.

Rivals

The list of competitors to the BMW i7 isn’t a long one because, in the UK at least, there is just one: the Mercedes-Benz EQS. Both cars are very similar in sizing, pricing, range and performance while also offering limo-like space and luxury.

Other markets have luxury electric saloon options including the Tesla Model S and Lucid Air, but neither of these are offered new in the UK. Petrol-powered alternatives include the Porsche Panamera and Range Rover.

Interior comfort, quality & technology

It’s clear from the moment you use the doors that the i7 is a clear step beyond your average executive car. All models get soft-close doors, but you can option doors that electrically open and close at the press of a button (or brake pedal) for true theatre.

Once inside, though, it’s the sense of material richness and quality that strikes you more than any gimmicks. From the wonderfully soft leather to the cut-glass seat and infotainment controls – and especially the deep pile carpets – it’s clear that BMW has been taking notes from its in-house luxury brand Rolls-Royce.

It’s a step above the slightly underwhelming Mercedes-Benz EQS. The full-width ‘Interaction Bar’ lighting strip isn’t just a fancy bit of ambient lighting, either – it changes colour depending on drive modes and can even provide various warnings.

Although the i7 makes use of some touch-sensitive controls on the Interaction Bar and in a few other places, they generally work well. And there are enough physical buttons to find key functions easily, even if the sheer mass of features can be a bit overwhelming at first.

The fundamentals in the i7 are well-sorted, too. The driving position is excellent, with a wide range of electric seat and steering wheel adjustment for drivers of all shapes and sizes to get comfortable. Visibility is great, with good-sized windows all-round and plenty of cameras and sensors to help, too.

Infotainment, sat-nav, stereo and connectivity

Every i7 comes equipped with a 14.9in touchscreen joined alongside a 12.3in driver’s display. Although it isn’t as up-to-date as the software in the new iX3 electric SUV, in some ways we prefer this system because it retains the physical iDrive click-wheel controller.

The graphics are sharp and the screen itself is responsive, while voice control works well for key functions. Our only gripe is the main function menu display has too many icons.

The infotainment screen is far from the only touch display you’ll find in the i7. There are small touchscreens mounted on the rear doors to control the blinds, seats and multimedia, for one. But if you raid the options list, you can also specify a 31-inch 8K ‘Theatre Screen’.

Sat flush with the glass roof when folded away, it electrically deploys behind the front passengers’ heads and uses Amazon Fire software to stream videos and films. You can even connect a games console to it if you want your kids to be the envy of their mates – although not all sources can take advantage of its widescreen.

Every i7 has a wireless phone charging pad in the front, but those with the upgraded rear seat package also get one in the rear centre armrest. There are also no fewer than six USB-C ports spread about the cabin for charging devices, too.

Audio-wise, even the ‘base’ sound system is by Bowers and Wilkins and features 17 speakers for surround sound. But the upgraded Diamond system has a whopping 35 speakers, including headrest speakers and even shakers built into the seat for bass response. Needless to say, audiophiles won’t be disappointed.

How practical is the BMW i7?

With dimensions of 5,391mm in length, 1,950mm in width and 1,544mm in height, the i7 is a full 17cm longer than the already big Mercedes-Benz EQS and, bar cars like the Rolls-Royce Phantom, it’s among the largest cars on UK roads.

This is due to BMW’s decision to only offer one wheelbase size in the latest 7 Series and i7, unlike previous generations. With the UK’s parking space sizes, it means that the big 7 overhangs a standard UK bay by nearly half a metre.

While that’s a pain in tight car parks, it does result in the i7 feeling like a proper limo inside. There’s already a huge amount of space up front, with big, soft seats that can accommodate all shapes and sizes along with both head and legroom to spare.

But a car like the i7 is all about those in the rear seats, and it certainly delivers. Legroom in particular is vast, with even those well over six foot able to stretch their legs out and still have several inches of space to spare. Headroom is generous, too, even with the standard-fit panoramic glass roof.

All i7s have supremely comfortable rear seats with a reclining function to make them the best seats in the house – and there are three seats, with room for an adult in the middle.

But upgrading to the Executive Pack converts the outer seats into full First Class airline-style seating, able to electrically glide almost fully flat like a bed. The front passenger seat can also be folded forward (when empty) to reveal a footrest, too.

Overall, the i7 blitzes the EQS for rear seat comfort. In fact, it’s just about the most comfortable and cossetting car available unless you’re willing to pay more than twice the price for a Rolls-Royce. Oh, and there are even two ISOFIX points in the rear if your child wants to join the lap of luxury.

Storage and boot space

There’s no shortage of places to store items in the i7, including big front door bins lined with felt, a pair of individual cupholders with their own lids, a wireless phone charging tray and a deep cubby in the centre armrest. The glovebox is big, too, and electrically operated via a button on the dash.

In the rear you still get large door bins, and although you only get one pocket on the front seatbacks you do get a large fold-down armrest with a useful cubby space.

The i7’s boot is perhaps the only area of compromise. Its 500-litre capacity is 25 litres down on the petrol 7 Series, and substantially less than the EQS’s 610-litre boot.

More importantly, the EQS has a major advantage with its hatchback-style boot opening. The i7 makes do with a traditional saloon tailgate, hampering access if you’re carrying larger or bulkier items. Still, you won’t have any issues with a few large suitcases or a couple of golf bags in the back of the BMW.

Performance & drive: What is the BMW i7 like on the road?

No version of the i7 could ever be considered slow. In fact, the entry-level eDrive50 model would be our choice because it offers all the performance you’d reasonably need in a comfort-focused luxury limo such as this.

With 455hp on tap, it’s capable of a 0-62mph sprint in just 5.5 seconds – not that you’re going to be flooring it away from the lights in case you spill your passengers’ artisanal coffee. More importantly, its effortless, instant electric torque means it can join motorway slip roads and dispatch overtakes with ease.

The only downside is that this version is rear-wheel-drive only, which isn’t always ideal in adverse weather. The soon-to-arrive facelift i7 50 has identical power but all-wheel drive for extra grip and security.

Both other variants of the i7 have dual motors and all-wheel drive. The i7 xDrive60 boasts 543hp, taking the 0-62mph time down to 4.7 seconds. It’s very fast even by the standards of high-end electric cars.

In fact, it makes the i7 M70 xDrive feel somewhat redundant. This version ups the power of the rear electric motor to give a combined 659hp. Yes, it’s so fast that you can’t help but marvel at how something so big and heavy can get down the road with such ferocity. But opportunities to use its full potential on UK roads are few and far between.

Importantly, all versions of the i7 have a smooth and progressive throttle pedal so you can gently waft about and keep your potentially fussy rear passengers happy.

Every i7 has adaptive regenerative braking that uses cameras, sensors and GPS data to decide when and how much regen braking force is required.

If you’d prefer to manually select regen force, then you can do so via the touchscreen (we’d prefer a physical button or steering wheel paddles) or use the dedicated ‘B’ mode on the drive selector for full one-pedal driving. The brake pedal is well tuned to feel natural, too.

Power, 0-62mph times

• BMW i7 eDrive50: 455hp/ 5.5 seconds
• BMW i7 xDrive60: 543hp/ 4.7 seconds
• BMW i7 M70 xDrive: 659hp/ 3.8 seconds

Ride and handling

Every i7 features twin-chamber air suspension that delivers a class-leading balance between handling and the kind of cushy softness you’d expect of a luxury limo. That’s despite the car’s vast kerbweight of up to 2.8 tonnes depending on version.

Whether negotiating speed bumps around town or tackling poor motorway surfaces, the i7’s impressive suspension takes it all in its stride. It is one of the smoothest cars available at any price point. Again, you’ll have to go to Rolls-Royce for a cushier ride.

But despite the clear comfort focus, the i7 is surprisingly agile and capable on a twisty road. Don’t get us wrong, it’s not its natural environment, but it feels more at home than the remote-feeling EQS thanks to accurate, well-weighted steering and well-managed body control.

The M70 has a slightly stiffer setup to give it a bit of a performance edge, but it’s subtle and still a very capable cruiser.

Four-wheel steering is standard on some i7s and optional on others, and we reckon it’s a must-have. Able to turn the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the front at low speeds, the system gives you a much tighter turning circle to negotiate tight spots with more ease. It also increases stability at high speed by turning the rear wheels in the same direction as the fronts.

Noise and refinement

The i7 is an outstandingly refined car at all speeds regardless of which version you choose. There’s very little road noise to be heard even on the worst surfaces with the largest wheel options, and you’ll have to be concentrating hard to notice wind noise.

As with all BMW electric models there are a selection of sci-fi acceleration sounds created by composer Hans Zimmer. While these add an extra layer of character to the drive, in a car such as this they’re a bit unnecessary.

Euro NCAP: is the BMW i7 a safe car?

Unfortunately, no version of the 7 Series or i7 has been crash tested by safety experts Euro NCAP, so we cannot compare it directly with the five-star Mercedes-Benz EQS.

Nevertheless, the smaller but mechanically closely related 5 Series/ i5 and iX were awarded the maximum five-star rating when they were tested.

Every i7 comes with the expected autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit alert warning and driver monitoring tech. It’s a bit strange that adaptive cruise control is part of an optional ‘Driving Assistant Professional’ pack at this price point, but that does also give you an advanced self-steering system.

Charging, range and running costs

The i7 is better to drive and be a passenger in than the Mercedes-Benz EQS, but if range on a charge matters more then the BMW loses out somewhat.

Arguably, though, the i7 delivers enough range on a charge to dispatch hundreds of easy motorway miles before you need to think about where to plug in. That’s because of the substantial 101.7kWh (usable) battery pack fitted to all models.

You’d think the single motor i7 eDrive50 would be the most efficient, but unusually it’s the dual motor xDrive60 that boasts the most range, at 387 miles on a charge in WLTP testing. The eDrive50 has only eight miles less on paper, though, so it’s unlikely to make much of a difference.

In isolation those figures remain competitive a few years on from the i7 launching, but the EQS is on another level entirely in official tests. That car’s longest-range variant promises an outstanding 542 miles on a charge.

The high-performance i7 M70 isn’t just hard to recommend due to its very high price – it also loses some crucial range. Its official figure is 342 miles on a charge, which is less than the vastly cheaper Tesla Model 3 Performance.

All i7s come equipped with an advanced heat pump system to reduce the impact of heating the cabin in cold weather on efficiency and range.

Range on a charge (WLTP figures)

• BMW i7 eDrive50: 379 miles
• BMW i7 xDrive60: 387 miles
• BMW i7 M70: 342 miles

The i7’s big battery would be a problem if it couldn’t charge quickly. But, thankfully, it can, if you have access to the very fastest public rapid chargers.

All versions of the i7 are capable of peak DC charging speeds of up to 200kW, allowing a 10-80% charge to be completed in as little as 30 minutes. It’s worth noting that if you can only find a 50kW charger, you’ll be waiting three times as long for the same charge level.

A Mercedes-Benz EQS charges at roughly the same speeds but its even bigger battery takes fractionally longer to fill up.

As you’d expect, all i7s come with battery preconditioning to get the battery ready to accept the fastest possible charge. It can be automatically activated if you plan a charging stop into the car’s sat-nav system.

As with the EQS, one downside of the i7’s big battery is the time it takes to home charge. You’ll be looking at well over 16 hours for a full charge from empty if you’re using a typical 7kW home charger, but those lucky enough to have a three-phase supply can reduce that time down to 11 hours.

Charging speeds

(Figures from EV Database)

• 7kW charging: 16hr 15 mins
• 11kW charging: 11hrs
• 50kW rapid charger (10 to 80% charge): 90 mins
• 300kW+ rapid charger (10 to 80% charge): 30 mins

How much does the BMW i7 cost to insure?

The i7’s performance, luxury and cost mean it sits in the top tier insurance group of 50 regardless of which version you choose. That’s also the case with the Mercedes-Benz EQS and is the reality for anyone looking for a large luxury car today.